The American Wind Energy Association (AWEA) has kicked off its inaugural American Wind Week, running today through Aug. 12.
AWEA says it is recognizing that wind power is now the largest source of U.S. renewable energy capacity and that it supports over 100,000 U.S. jobs across all 50 states.
The group is encouraging businesses, schools, governments and communities across the country to share what American wind power leadership means to them this week.
AWEA notes that close to 99% of U.S. wind power capacity can be found in rural communities such as Fowler, Ind., where AWEA is hosting a wind energy fair during American Wind Week. Fowler encapsulates how valuable wind power can be: Wind projects in surrounding Benton County, with just over 8,000 residents, have drawn over $2 billion in capital investment, according to AWEA.
“We started American Wind Week to honor the American innovators who taught the world how to harness the wind for large-scale electricity generation. They shaped the wind into a productive resource that makes all Americans safer and our economy more prosperous,” states Tom Kiernan, CEO of AWEA. “And we aren’t about to cede wind power leadership. Every day, U.S. wind workers put up an average of 10 more new turbines. Those turbines are the tip of a vast manufacturing supply chain, and they’re a rural economic development engine that spans all 50 states.”
The schedule of events for #AmericanWindWeek can be found here.
